The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has partnered with the National Safety Council (NSC) to highlight these critical issues in the Safety Is Personal series. NSC President and CEO Lorraine Martin and WIT President and CEO Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, discussed the importance of safety in the trucking industry and how it impacts drivers daily.

View the conversation between Hedrick and Martin.

Making Safety Personal

The Safety Is Personal series emphasizes real stories and lessons that shape how trucking leaders prioritize safety. For Hedrick, safety is not abstract. She focuses on ensuring that drivers, especially those in underserved segments, return home each day safely.

In her interview with Martin, Hedrick discussed major safety challenges that extend beyond vehicle operation. These include awareness of surroundings, the lack of safe and accessible truck parking, and how harassment and discrimination can influence safety outcomes for drivers.

Hands-On Training With a Purpose

As part of the collaboration, Hedrick coached Martin on driving a commercial truck using the WITney Educational Trailer simulator. The interactive experience demonstrates how training and awareness can prevent accidents and support drivers on the road.

Why These Discussions Matter

Truck driving is a demanding profession. Long hours, tight schedules, and extended time away from home create stress that affects both safety and performance. Research shows that female truck drivers experience harassment and discrimination more frequently than their male counterparts, which can directly impact safety and retention.

Hedrick and Martin stress situational awareness as a critical skill. Drivers must stay alert to hazards, vehicle behavior, and environmental conditions. Addressing challenges like commercial truck parking shortages ensures drivers make safer decisions while complying with hours-of-service rules.

Advancing Industry Safety

WIT and NSC’s collaboration promotes a culture of care that goes beyond compliance. Their combined efforts highlight respect, preparedness, and proactive risk management. The conversation encourages all stakeholders in the trucking industry to prioritize safety as a central value that protects drivers, supports their careers, and ensures the safe delivery of goods across the country.

Through initiatives like Safety Is Personal, WIT continues to advocate for inclusion, driver safety, and the professional advancement of women in trucking.

Source: Women In Trucking

The post Safety First for Truck Drivers: How WIT and NSC Are Driving a Culture of Care appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Lindsey, a driver with Cheema Freightlines, was named one of the Truckload Carriers Association Professional Drivers of the Year for 2025 and was recognized during the association’s annual convention earlier this year.

The recognition gave Lindsey more than an award. It gave him access to industry discussions that most drivers never see.

Seeing the industry beyond the cab

As part of the honor, Lindsey participated in multiple TCA events, including the Safety and Security Meeting held June 8–10 in Louisville, Kentucky. During that meeting, he participated in the “View from the Driver’s Seat” panel, which brought together drivers and industry leaders to discuss safety, operations, and decision-making.

“It gave me a whole new perspective and outlook on the industry,” he said of the Safety and Security Meeting as a whole. “I’ve been on the driver’s side of it for all these years, and then to see what goes on behind the scenes was really an eye-opener.”

That exposure, Lindsey says, helps him better prepare new drivers for the realities of the job, especially at Cheema Freightlines, where he now plays a role in mentoring and training.

Before joining Cheema, Lindsey spent 26 years in a similar role at Gordon Trucking before the company was sold.

Experience that benefits both drivers and carriers

Cheema’s leadership points to Lindsey’s background as a key reason he has been effective both on the road and as a mentor.

“Scott (Lindsey) brought decades of safe driving experience to Cheema,” said Rob Newell, Cheema’s vice president of driver services. “Along with that came a broad understanding of basic priorities necessary to be successful as a driver and a trucking company.”

Lindsey’s trucking career began well before modern training programs existed. After serving in the Air Force, he discovered that military driving experience was not recognized for commercial trucking at the time. He attended an eight-week truck driving school, completed 300 hours behind the wheel, and earned a Washington state chauffeur’s license that was later converted into a CDL.

Looking back, Lindsey believes that depth of training is missing from many programs today.

“The school was informative, and we had to have 300 hours behind the wheel,” he said of his driver training. “I wish schools today were like that one, because the drivers that are coming out of these schools today — they’re not ready. They’re trained to pass the CDL test, but not to be truck drivers.”

Trusted voice in equipment and technology decisions

Beyond training, Cheema has relied on Lindsey’s experience when evaluating new equipment and systems. His real-world feedback has helped the carrier make decisions that affect drivers across the fleet.

“Most recently, he was selected among 10 drivers who were early adopters of our new Platform Science telematics system,” Newell said. “He and that group attended a full day of training. He was instrumental in assisting us with the development and integration of the system as we customized it for our specific requirements from the road up.”

That trust goes both ways. Lindsey describes Cheema as a company that backs its drivers with actions, not just words.

“When you come to work for Cheema, you don’t come to work for a company. You become part of the family,” he said. “If they tell you something, you can take it to the bank.”

Support when it mattered most

During an interview with Truckload Authority, Lindsey shared how that support became especially meaningful during the illness and loss of his wife two years ago.

“I took her to the doctor, and they said the medications weren’t working anymore,” he said, explaining that he spoke with Harman Cheema, the company’s president and CEO, about the situation and the time he needed away.

“I told Harman, ‘I got your truck here in my yard. What do you want me to do with it (while I take care of my wife?” Lindsey recalled. “He asked me if the location was safe and told me to hang on to it. That truck sat there for three months — no phone calls, no pressure. That was more valuable to me than any amount of pay raise or anything.”

Giving back to drivers on and off the road

Lindsey’s commitment to other drivers extends beyond training and advice. Living near Cheema’s terminal in Albany, Oregon, he makes a point of opening his home during the holidays.

“Guys that are stuck out on the road, they can at least come to the house and have a nice meal,” he said.

When it comes to advice for new drivers, Lindsey keeps it practical.

“Practice patience; don’t get in a hurry,” he said. “Also, trip plan, trip plan, trip plan. Regardless of GPS or routing messages, you still have to plan out your trip.”

He also encourages drivers to use available tools to reduce surprises at delivery points.

“You can see your way in — where the docks are and everything — so when you get there, you’re not going in blind,” he explained. “Use the technology and tools that are given to you to make your job easier.”

Life on the road and the value of companionship

Lindsey is also an advocate for carrier pet programs and travels with his dog, Tripod.

“(Having a pet along) makes a big difference for drivers’ physical and mental well-being,” he said. “Tripod is my rock. He keeps me grounded. He keeps me sane.”

Newell says Lindsey’s professionalism and willingness to help others set the standard at Cheema.

“Scott has also been a great team player — or ‘Cheemate’ as we like to say — and he’s always willing to assist other drivers as needed.”

With no immediate plans to retire, Lindsey expects to continue sharing his experience and helping drivers succeed well into the future.

This story originally appeared in the January-February 2026 edition of Truckload Authority, the official publication of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Source: The Trucker

The post How TCA Driver of the Year Scott Lindsey Uses Experience to Strengthen Drivers and Carriers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

A Legacy in Motion

“I played with trucks,” recalls Daniel Breckenridge, reflecting on his childhood fascination with the big rigs that pass by every day. That childhood passion grew into Breckenridge Trucking Inc., which Daniel now runs alongside his wife, Susan, and their daughter, Courtney.

Founded in 1973 by Daniel’s father, Donald, the Wenona, Illinois-based business has evolved into a specialized HAZMAT carrier. Today, the company operates a fleet of 100 Kenworth tractors and 130 tank trailers, transporting products such as alcohols, petroleum items, and food-grade liquids across the U.S. and Canada.

Safety is the Heart of the Business

Daniel measures success not just by miles traveled, but by the safety of every trip. “The business is a lifelong dream,” says Breckenridge. “We operate by family values. It has to come from the heart and soul—that’s what we do.”

With this in mind, Breckenridge Trucking has integrated Bendix technologies into its operations to protect its drivers and cargo. From advanced braking systems to cutting-edge stability controls, the focus on safety guides every decision.

Air Disc Brakes: A Step Ahead

Since 2010, Breckenridge Trucking has incorporated Bendix ADB22X air disc brakes across its fleet. For hazardous material transport, these brakes are a game-changer. “You don’t have the brake fade you get with drums,” Daniel notes. “You just get in and go, and you can expect the truck to stop.”

The switch to air disc brakes wasn’t without hurdles—early adoption came with resistance from dealers. “We were told disc brakes were too new and untested,” says Breckenridge. Yet, the company stocked parts and persisted, confident in their decision. Today, Bendix ADB22X brakes provide shorter stopping distances, enhanced stability, and reduced maintenance. These benefits become especially critical in mountain descents or heavy traffic, where traditional drum brakes can falter.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Breckenridge Trucking was equally forward-thinking about incorporating Bendix Fusion, an advanced ADAS system, in its fleet starting in 2016. Built upon the foundational Bendix ESP stability system, Fusion combines radar, video, and braking data to assist drivers in preventing crashes.

The system is designed to mitigate rear-end collisions, lane departures, rollovers, and loss-of-control incidents. Highly detailed sensor inputs enable advanced features like active cruise braking, following distance alerts, and stationary object detection.

Breckenridge Trucking complements these cutting-edge features with Bendix’s TABS-6 trailer roll stability system and the BlindSpotter side object detection system, which alerts drivers to nearby vehicles to help avoid sideswipes.

“You drive the equipment and see it perform,” says Daniel, referencing Bendix demos that reenact real-life situations from high-speed braking to stability tests. This hands-on evaluation helped inform his decision to adopt these safety technologies early.

A Safety-Centric Culture

The Breckenridge team shares one mission—consistent excellence in safety. “It starts with everyone, from office personnel to drivers,” Daniel explains. Every employee undergoes the same rigorous training in safe operations and HAZMAT handling, ensuring a shared understanding of protocols.

This focus on safety has garnered the company multiple accolades, including top marks in safety awards from Great West Casualty Company.

Bendix supports this initiative by conducting on-site sessions at the company’s headquarters, educating the team on how to maximize the capabilities of the systems in place. “It’s a group effort at Breckenridge Trucking,” says Al Rollison, interim senior director of fleet and aftermarket sales at Bendix. “They live their safety mission, and we’re honored to partner with them.”

Looking Ahead

For Breckenridge Trucking, choosing Bendix has paid dividends—not just in terms of performance, but in peace of mind. “Bendix is a leader in the industry and has served us well,” says Daniel. “We would like to thank Bendix for their continued partnership.”

Through relentless dedication to safety and technological innovation, Breckenridge Trucking demonstrates how the right partnerships can drive real progress in the transportation industry.

Source: The Trucker

The post Making Roads Safer Together: How Breckenridge Trucking Partners with Bendix for Advanced Safety appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.